Need help choosing a new DAC


With so many options for DACs these days, I'm having a hard time deciding on a new DAC.  Currently considering a MHDT Orchid or Pagoda, Denafrips Pontus II, Benchmark DAC3,  Schitt Yggdrasil, or Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE.  I don't need any options such as volume control, BT, or MQA.  I also prefer musicality over measurements.  I'm currently using a SMSL SU-9, which will be moved over to my office system.  I'm tired of moving it back and forth between systems. My bank account prefers the cost of the Orchid since the other options cost up to twice as much, but I can go as high as $2500.  I mostly steam Qobuz thru a Raspberry Pi 4, but also use a Cambridge Audio CXC v2 CD transport on occasion.  My preamp is a Don Sachs DS2 tube preamp going into a D-Sonic m3a-1200s amp feeding "Gunned" MMGs.  I mostly listen to the Grateful Dead, rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Which DAC should I get and are the any others I should look at? 

terrapin77

@scottya118 I will check out the Sonnet Morpheus, but it is slightly more than I want to spend at this time

You know they'll all be decent but a little bit different to each other. If you can't try them in your own system you really have to roll the dice to a certain extent.

I have the MHDT Orchid. I like it. The tube gives a little bit of scope to massage the sound presentation.

Just go off the features you desire I reckon. 

One think on your list an uptone audio Ether regen ,hub makes Everything sound better, your budget $2500  button the multi review winner Denafrips Pontus 2

you order it within a week delivered ,I have one ,as well as their new Terminator2

i sold my Bricasti 3  for the terminator a Big step up in realism .

the Pontus around $2k then you can buy that uptone Eyher regen and Wireworld starlight Ethernet cable and usb Excellent low cost buys ,being in a multi state audio club I hear a ton of nice equipment for all budgets.

Good inexpensive DAC Border Patrol.

I auditioned the Ferot it was nice but no better than my Bel Canto 2.7 DAC.